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National Justice Summit 2024: FG, International IDEA, others call For Reforms in judicial appointment processes
National Justice Summit 2024: FG, International IDEA, others call For Reforms in judicial appointment processes
•Summit seeks reduction of CJN’s powers
By: Michael Mike
Federal Ministry of Justice, International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (International IDEA), and other stakeholders in the nation’s judiciary have made far reaching recommendations that will address the issues of judicial appointment process, funding and eradicating delays in the administration of justice in Nigeria, at the just concluded two-day National Summit on Justice 2024.
The event was organised by the Federal Government in collaboration with the European Union funded RoLAC II Programme of the International IDEA.
In a communique issued at the end of the summit at the weekend, it was noted that the National Policy on Justice 2024 to 2028, will now serve as a roadmap, paving the way for a more efficient, equitable and responsive justice system for all Nigerians.
Chairman, Joint Planning Committee of the Justice Summit, Dr Babatunde Ajibade, SAN, who read the communique, said the summit had three technical sessions.
Ajibade stated that the general consensus reached at the summit was that the role of the National Judicial Council in discharging its responsibility for judicial appointments into the Superior Court of record required significant review.
The stakeholders expressed concern about the fact that the Chief Justice of Nigeria, who is the chairman of the NJC is also the chairman of the Federal Judicial Service Commission, the body that initially reviews proposals or lists of candidates by appointment into judicial office.
The summit pointed out the seeming inconsistency between the CJN playing both roles, as it would appear that he is recommending candidates to himself being chairman of both bodies, and being the person who appoints a significant number of the members of both bodies other than those who are statutory members.
There’s a general consensus by the summit on the need to reconstitute or propose reconstitution of both the NJC and the FJSC.
On the role of the State Judicial Service Commission in judicial appointmens, the summit concluded that there was a significant need to ensure that composition of the SJSC is more diverse, that it reflects the interests of the users of the justice sector.
Stakeholders noted the fact that the current NJC guidelines may have subverted the intent of the constitutional provision, empowering the SJSC to make judicial appointments, because the NJC guidelines, rather than authorising the SJSC to prepare a shortlist of potential candidates for judicial appointments, appear to address that responsibility solely in the Chairman (Chief Judges of States).
The summit therefore called for an amendment of the aspect of the NJC guidelines to make clear that the development or preparation of shortlist of candidates for judicial appointments is something that is to be done by the Commissions as a whole and not just by the Chief Judges.
On the general approach that ought to be taken to reforming the judicial appointments process, the summit stressed that focus should be on increased transparency in the appointment process, meritocracy and on meaningful performance evaluations of those who seek judicial office.
Also, it was recommended that Nigeria should consider the model that is currently being used in Kenya.
There was a consensus on the need to codify the judicial appointments process, such that the discretion that is currently witnessed in the appointments process is reduced to the barest minimum.
On funding, budgeting and administration for the judiciary, the summit resolved
that the current process for funding the courts was totally deficient as it was evident that the provisions of the Constitution as amended by the Fifth Amendment, authorising that funding for the State courts should be a joint effort carried out by the executive and the judiciary was not being implemented in any shape or form in the majority of the states.
Clear recommendations were made that this was something that needed to be pursued and dealt with decisively, as the summit stated that funding of the judiciary at the federal level is much better than what obtains in the States of the Federation.
More so, the summit observed the need to professionalise the administration of the courts, as well as to appoint persons with clear administrative experience to be selected through a transparent process to administer the courts, and to separate the administration of the courts from the administration of justice.
On eradicating delays in the administration of justice agenda for leveraging the rules of procedure and effective case management in Nigeria, the panel considered the importance of limiting the jurisdiction of the Supreme Court, and ensuring that matters that would go to the Supreme Court would only be matters of significant national importance.
The summit held that before a matter goes to apex court, it would only be by the leave of the Supreme Court, and that the automatic right of appeal to the will be severely curtailed and will be limited only to matters relating to the office and the election into the office of the president of the federation, Vice President and, and Governors of the States.
National Justice Summit 2024: FG, International IDEA, others call For Reforms in judicial appointment processes
Yobe: Buni urges journalists to uphold professionalism
By: Yahaya Wakili
Governor Mai Mala Buni of Yobe State has appealed to media practitioners in the state to continue to uphold professionalism while discharging their responsibilities.
He urges the journalists to abide by the ethics of the profession, remain united, and promote peace and harmony among themselves.
The governor made the appeal today while receiving the newly elected leadership of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Correspondents Chapel, led by its elected chairman, Mr. Nabilu Balarabe of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), at the Government House, Damaturu.
Ably represented by his deputy, Hon. Idi Barde Gubana (Wazirin Fune), he commends journalists in the state for their synergy and collaboration with the state government in projecting a positive image of the state.
Governor Buni commended the journalists for their professionalism and constructive engagement, acknowledging the critical role the media plays in democratic governance and national development.
He pledged the state government’s continued support and collaboration with the correspondents’ chapel to ensure the success of the present administration, particularly in promoting government policies, programs, and achievements.
Earlier, the newly elected chairman, Mr. Nabilu Balarabe, said the visit was to pay homage and formally present the new leadership of the chapel to the governor.
He said recently the chapel conducted an election of the leadership of the chapel, in which Nabilu Balarabe of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) emerged as chairman and Mr. Musa Buba Mingi of Channels Television as vice chairman.
Others include Malam Habibu Idris Gimba of Daily Trust, Secretary; Mr. Michael Oshoma of TVC, Treasurer; Sa’adatu Maina of Neptune Prime, Assistant Secretary; and Muhammed Mai Tela of People’s Daily, Auditor.
Yobe: Buni urges journalists to uphold professionalism
NGX woos NPF to list viable businesses
The Group Chairman Nigerian Exchange Group, Dr. Umaru Kwairanga has urged the Nigerian Police Force to consider listing other viable business entities of its organisation on the Exchange as it has done with its Microfinance Bank.
Kwairanga made the call on Wednesday in Lagos at the closing gong ceremony in honour of the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, who was at the trading floor of the Nigerian Exchange.
Kwairanga gave the NGX’s assurance that such companies if listed would be given free publicity, easy access to greater ponds of capital, and greater transparency and efficiency in their operations.
He said that the Exchange, its operators and quoted companies would continue to provide environment conducive for NPF businesses, in view of the critical role that the police play in ensuring a stable environment for businesses to thrive.
“Our quoted companies have been key to the success of the Police Trust Fund and stand ready to cooperate with the Nigerian Police in other ways that you require logistical and other support to ensure that we have a secure nation and capital market.
“Apart from its core duties of ensuring Nigeria’s internal security, the Nigerian Police Force has over the years established and grown various thriving businesses for the welfare of its personnel.
“One of them, the Nigerian Police Microfinance Bank is in fact quoted on the main board of the Exchange and doing very well in terms of capital appreciation, dividends and corporate governance,” he said.
The NGX boss advised that the Pension Fund should consider increasing its allocations to eligible equity quoted on the Nigerian Exchange.
While commending Egbetokun for visiting the Exchange, Kwairanga pledged to strengthen the mutually beneficial relationship going forward.
Our Correspondent reports that the visit underscores the continued collaboration between key national institutions in promoting market confidence, investor trust and a transparent, well-functioning capital market.
NGX woos NPF to list viable businesses
Turkish–Nigerian Poets Unite in Abuja to Promote Peace Through Art
By: Michael Mike
Nigeria and Turkey have reinforced their cultural partnership through a poetry exchange in Abuja designed to foster peace, dialogue, and mutual understanding between the two nations.
The literary gathering, hosted by the Yunus Emre Enstitüsü, brought together poets, cultural practitioners, diplomats, and arts administrators from both countries to explore shared human values through poetry and performance.
Speaking at the event, Director-General of the Kaduna International Film Festival, Israel Kashim Audu, described poetry as a powerful medium for cultural diplomacy and peacebuilding. He noted that although Turkish poetry is deeply influenced by Anatolian mysticism, Nigerian poetry often reflects post-colonial experiences, identity, and nationhood.
“Despite their different historical contexts, both poetic traditions meet in their pursuit of justice, harmony, and human dignity,” Audu said.
The Abuja Coordinator of Yunus Emre Enstitüsü, Fatih Erkin Mahdum, said the institute has remained committed to promoting Turkish language, arts, and culture in Nigeria since its establishment in 2021. He added that collaborations with Nigerian artists are central to strengthening cultural ties and encouraging creative exchange.
Diplomatic presence at the event underscored its international significance. Mrs Florence Nzako, Counsellor at the Embassy of the Democratic Republic of Congo, alongside Solveig Andresen of the Norwegian Embassy, welcomed participants and commended the initiative for using art to advance peace and intercultural understanding.
Poets at the gathering presented works exploring themes of peace, love, displacement, and resilience, drawing poetic connections between the Bosphorus and the Niger River as symbols of unity and shared humanity.
Also speaking, Director-General and Artistic Director of the National Troupe of Nigeria, Kattumu Bulama Gana, said artistic collaborations provide unique opportunities to understand common histories and aspirations. He described the poetry exchange as a valuable contribution to cultural diplomacy between Nigeria and Turkey.
Turkish–Nigerian Poets Unite in Abuja to Promote Peace Through Art
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